I rarely ever write extensive reviews but this is an exception by far. There are so many positive things I would love to rave about but I will try to keep it as concise as possible. As a brief background, I am a college student who was doing a solo trip around Southeast Asia and stayed in Bangkok for 6 days, (5 of which were with Sam).
#1. Sam is an extraordinarily thoughtful host with a vibrant and endearing personality. She goes out of her way to make you feel welcomed and truly benefit from the local experience. The room itself is beautiful and spacious with added touches to make your stay more enjoyable which is deeply appreciated after a long day out. Despite her incredibly busy schedule, Sam responded lightening fast and took the time to meet in person to talk about her background as a Thai local which to me is an invaluable perspective I could not be more grateful for.
#2. The location is generally the issue that most people have with the place but I would like to argue the complete opposite. Sam's place is located in the heart of a charming local community which I enjoyed far more than the tourist attractions around Bangkok. To overlook the genuine hospitality and kindness the locals have to offer is, in my opinion, missing out on Bangkok's true character. On top of which, the food is absolutely amazing for unbelievable prices ($2-4). I truly learned a lot from my experience in the neighborhood and even befriended some of the locals! With that being said, the nearest MRT/BTS station is only 5-10 minutes away on a taxi/motorcyle and from there you can easily access the rest of Bangkok. With a BTS station called Saphan Taksin right at the river, the ferry (blue flag) can take you all along the river to visit popular attractions such as the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and Khao San Road all within one day easily. Chatuchak Weekend Market and Ratchada Rot Fai Night Market are wonderfully close as well.
In conclusion, I absolutely loved my time in Bangkok and I have to largely credit it to Sam's hospitality. Living in downtown Bangkok, it is difficult to grasp the sense of local life, but at Sam's I was able to enjoy the best of both worlds. With my experience here, I would confidently say this neighborhood and its people represents the true heart of Bangkok. So what are you waiting for?